Synopsis
Survival and competitive ability of juvenile fish is often dependent on their growth rate. Temperature is the physical component of their environment which most affects growth rate. To determine the effect of temperature on the growth rate of two exotic warm water species we measured growth of Oreochromis mossambicus and Sarotherodon melanotheron at 25, 30 and 35°C. There was a significant interaction of species and temperature on growth. The growth rate of O. mossambicus was faster than that of S. melanotheron at 25 and 30°C but slower at 35°C. Weight gain of S. melanotheron was significantly greater at 30°C than at 25°C. Weight gain of O. mossambicus at 25 and 30°C was significantly greater than at 35°C. Temperature had no effect on the weight-length relationship of either species.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References cited
Caulton, M.S. 1978. The importance of habitat temperatures for growth in the tropical cichlid Tilapia rendalli Boulenger. J. Fish. Biol. 13: 99–112.
Fry, F.E.J. 1947. Effects of environment on animal activity. University of Toronto Studies Biological Series, No. 55, Publ. Ontario Fish. Res. Lab. 68: 1–62.
Hensley, D.A. & W.R. Courtenay, Jr. 1980a. Tilapia melanotheron. p. 773. In: D.S. Lee, C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister & J.R. Stauffer, Jr. (ed.) Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes, N.C. State Museum of Natural History, North Carolina Biological Survey Publication No. 1980-12.
Hensley, D.A. & W.R. Courtenay, Jr. 1980b. Tilapia mossambicus. p. 774. In: D.S. Lee, C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister & J.R. Stauffer, Jr. (ed.) Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes, N.C. State Museum of Natural History, North Carolina Biological Survey Publication No. 1980-12.
Hull, C.H. & N.H. Nie. 1981. SPSS update 7–9: new procedures and facilities for releases 7–9. McGraw Hill, New York. 402 pp.
Hyatt, K.D. 1979. Feeding strategy. pp. 71–119. In: W.S. Hoar, D.J. Randall & J.R. Brett (ed.) Fish Physiology, Vol. 8, Academic Press, New York.
Mironova, N.V. 1976. Changes in the energy balance of Tilapia mossambica in relation to temperature and ration size. J. Ichthyol. 16: 120–129.
Nie, C.H., C.H. Hull, J.G. Jenkins, K. Steinbrenner & D.H. Brent. 1975. SPSS: statistical package for the social sciences. McGraw Hill, New York. 675 pp.
Platt, S. & W.J. Hauser. 1978. Optimum temperature for feeding and growth of Tilapia zilli. Prog. Fish-Cult. 40: 105–107.
Trewavas, E. 1984. Tilapine fishes of the genera Sarotherodon, Oreochromis and Danakilia. Brit. Mus. Nat. Hist., London. 583 pp.
Warren, C.E. & G.E. Davis. 1967. Laboratory studies on the feeding, bioenergetics, and growth of fish. pp. 175–214. In: S.D. Gerking (ed.) The Biological Basis of Fish Production, Blackwell, London.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Scientific Series No. 1546-AEL from UM-CEES, Appalachian Environmental Laboratory
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Price, E.E., Stauffer, J.R. & Swift, M.C. Effect of temperature on growth of juvenile Oreochromis mossambicus and Sarotherodon melanotheron . Environ Biol Fish 13, 149–152 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00002583
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00002583